LO will only sleep at the breast

ellebee2

DD is almost 5 weeks and will only fall asleep at the breast. Once she's out, I try to put her down to sleep in her crib and she wakes and wants to be nursed again. This makes for very long nights, and therefore very long days (as I can't nap if she won't nap). This happens day and night (so also interferes with napping, and me being able to do anything during the day). 

Tips? Tricks? Advice? Or is this just par for the course at this age?

I just want to make sure that I am not "creating a monster" so to speak.

Thanks.  

pixieprincss

I'd put it in the normal camp. Find a way to bedshare safely and enjoy the newborn cuddles while they last! Your baby slept inside of you from sonception until a mere 5 weeks ago. It makes perfect sense that the warmest, cuddliest, mommiest place (at your breast) is where she wants to be.

Marthafocker

pixieprincss:

I'd put it in the normal camp. Find a way to bedshare safely and enjoy the newborn cuddles while they last! Your baby slept inside of you from sonception until a mere 5 weeks ago. It makes perfect sense that the warmest, cuddliest, mommiest place (at your breast) is where she wants to be.

I want to "like" this. I feel like we forget how new they are to the world sometimes. All they have known is being warm and cozy inside, so the whole being not held is so new. It won't be like this forever  

ellebee2

Thanks. I think I just needed reassurance that it is okay.

She IS just little and new and I think sometimes I forget that there is a big difference between one month and three months and beyond.

Plus, the sleep deprivation doesn't help. ;

RN4Babies81

You sound exactly like I did when my sweet LO was that age and while it is easiest for you now, in the long run you will regret this.  If she becomes accustomed to breastfeeding to sleep, that will become the only way she will go to sleep and you will be where I am now, which is that I am the only person who can put her to sleep and every time she wakes up and your boob isn't in her mouth, she will cry.  I really suggest sacrificing a bit of sleep now and find another way to get her to sleep.  My only major regret is that I didn't listen to all the experienced mommies out there telling me to put her down awake, but drowsy.  And unless you plan on bed sharing long term or are willing to sleep train when baby is old enough, I would not start that.  I haven't slept through the night in 9 months and now that little one rolls in her sleep, I am constantly getting kicked at night.  

By all means, do what works for you and your LO but just be aware that this will become a habit that is nearly impossible to break without some serious sleep training that will probably involve CIO.  Good luck 

shannond354

RN4Babies81:

You sound exactly like I did when my sweet LO was that age and while it is easiest for you now, in the long run you will regret this.  If she becomes accustomed to breastfeeding to sleep, that will become the only way she will go to sleep and you will be where I am now, which is that I am the only person who can put her to sleep and every time she wakes up and your boob isn't in her mouth, she will cry.  I really suggest sacrificing a bit of sleep now and find another way to get her to sleep.  My only major regret is that I didn't listen to all the experienced mommies out there telling me to put her down awake, but drowsy.  And unless you plan on bed sharing long term or are willing to sleep train when baby is old enough, I would not start that.  I haven't slept through the night in 9 months and now that little one rolls in her sleep, I am constantly getting kicked at night.  

By all means, do what works for you and your LO but just be aware that this will become a habit that is nearly impossible to break without some serious sleep training that will probably involve CIO.  Good luck 

I agree but only to a point. Yes, you want to create healthy sleep habits, but falling asleep at the breast is hardly a bad habit.

 My oldest grew out of falling asleep on the breast at around 5 months or so. I say do what works for now, get some rest and once your LO is a bit older you'll figure out another way to get them to sleep.

GL! 

watermellens

If your LO likes the sucking aspect of nursing, but isn't necessarily drinking, I would try a pacifier.

Airynn Chica

Mine will also only sleep in our arms. I am often found asleep in the car after bf as that is the only way to keep her asleep. If you put her down once she falls asleep she usually lasts 10-30min. I have tried putting her down when she is almost asleep but again this doesn't work. She might be content (and awake) for 10-40min but will not fall asleep.